Leader Criticizes Revocation of Sheikh Qassem’s Bahraini Citizenship
"In Bahrain, a ruthless and arrogant minority is oppressing the majority; and has now carried out an act of aggression against the diligent scholar, Sheikh Isa Qassem. This is insanity and stupidity," the Leader said on Saturday.
Ayatollah Khamenei elaborated that it was Sheikh Qassem who prevented the mass protests in Bahrain from being driven to extremism, according to Press TV.
"These fools do not understand that eliminating Sheikh Isa Qassem means removing the barrier in front of the spirited Bahraini youths against the government. Nothing can silence these youths anymore," the Leader said.
Bahrain on Monday revoked the citizenship of Sheikh Qassem, accusing him of sowing "sectarianism and violence."
Bahrain’s Interior Ministry claimed in a statement that Sheikh Qassem actively sought the "creation of a sectarian environment” through his connections with foreign powers.
The ministry claimed that the cleric had misused his religious position to advance a political agenda and serve foreign interests.
The Bahrain Center for Human Rights said in a statement that the decision against the top Shia cleric "is yet another blow to freedom of speech and expression in Bahrain” and is "part of an escalating crackdown on freedoms and rights.”
It urged the government to "immediately and unconditionally reinstate the citizenship of Qassem and all those affected,” saying that it had documented evidence of at least 261 cases since 2012.
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